Top Paralympic Winter Games moments: France

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games promise to deliver unforgettable moments. Up to 665 athletes from around 50 National Paralympic Committees are set to compete in six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. 

Since the first Paralympic Winter Games in 1976, French athletes have won 183 medals, including 66 golds. And they are preparing to earn more at Milano Cortina 2026.

With less than one year to go until the 10-day spectacle, let's take a look at some of France's top moments from the Paralympic Winter Games.

Ornskoldsvik 1976: Bernard Baudean makes history for France

Bernard Baudean made history by winning two gold medals at Ornskoldsvik 1976, the inaugural Paralympic Winter Games. About 200 athletes from 16 countries competed in two sports – Para alpine and Para cross-country skiing.

Baudean was the only French gold medallist in the Swedish city, topping the podium in the men's alpine combination IV A and men's giant slalom IV A events.

He competed at the Paralympic Winter Games for nearly two decades. With 11 medals across six Games, Baudean is the country's most decorated male Winter Paralympian.

Albertville 1992: French athletes take spotlight at home Games

France hosted the Paralympic Winter Games in 1992, bringing together 365 athletes who competed in 79 medal events across three sports. French athletes bagged 19 medals, including six gold medals.

Para alpine skiers Lionel Brun and Stephane Saas each won two gold medals on home soil. Brun won the men's slalom and super-G LW6/8 classes and took bronze in the downhill.

Saas, who made his Paralympic debut in Para athletics at Stoke Mandeville & New York 1984, won the men's giant slalom and super-G B2 events. He is a six-time Paralympic champion and one of France's most successful summer-winter athletes.

Salt Lake City 2002: Pascale Casanova becomes first female champion

Let's fast forward to 2002, when Pascale Casanova became France's first female Paralympic Winter Games champion. Casanova won the women's downhill B2-3 race at Salt Lake City 2002, with Katherina Tepla taking silver and Gabriele Huemer of Austria taking bronze.

The Para alpine skier captured 11 medals (three gold, six silver, and two bronze) across three Paralympics – Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, and Torino 2006.

PyeongChang 2018: Marie Bochet bags four gold medals for second straight Games

Para alpine skier Marie Bochet was very close to sweeping all five events at PyeongChang 2018. She won four events (women's downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and slalom) in South Korea, four years after finishing Sochi 2014 also with four gold medals.

"PyeongChang is one of the very best memories. It was perfect," Bochet said. "It was unbelievable because I had already won four gold medals in Sochi, and I didn't think I could do it one more time. I was very happy with that."

Beijing 2022: Flagbearer Benjamin Daviet tops podium twice

Benjamin Daviet was among the most successful French athletes at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

He was France's flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony, and he was also unstoppable on the snow, picking up gold medals in Para cross-country skiing men's sprint free standing and Para biathlon men's individual standing events, in addition to two silver medals.

Daviet has five gold, four silver and one bronze medals since making his Paralympic debut at Sochi 2014. After Beijing 2022, he swapped his skis for oars and competed in Para rowing at Paris 2024. 

And now he is preparing for Milano Cortina 2026.

"My dream is to win the only races (Para cross-country skiing men's middle and long-distance races) I am missing from my record at the Games, with my wife and my daughter in the stands. Also, my family and all those who accompany me every day in my sporting career."

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less. Specially-priced Early Bird tickets are available until 6 May 2025.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org